The cyberpunk novel was written in the year 1948, inspired by a point in history where the Cold War threatened nations. A fear of communism, and thus the psychological dangers of manipulation, totalitarianism and political authority was present and mirrored in the novel. An example of such manipulation illustrated in 1984 is the telescreen, a psychological stimulative, television like device designed to overwhelm and cloud the minds of civilians. The telescreens were placed in the rooms of all civilians, streaming propaganda and imposing a synthetic reality, while watching and monitoring behaviour (Klawitter, 1997). Such psychological dangers exist today however as a society we remain ignorant or complacent to the reality of this, possibly due to the successful application of psychological manipulation sitting in the living room (like that of 1984) the study or in the hands of millions of people world wide. Today’s ‘telescreens’ aren’t perceived as intrusive, alternatively they are perceived as a basic necessity for all. Televisions, computers, mobile phones all a necessity playing a bigger role more than they’re ‘intend‘ basic function. Mobile phones have access to personal conversations and location, what we fail to realise is other’s (corporations or governments) can gain access to the same mobile phones. Computers store personal information, the television dictates whats society watches, thus feeding viewers with specific material designed to provoke certain psychological responses. All presenting some form of potential psychological manipulation, the same manipulation illustrated in Orwell’s 1984 (Rodden, 2011).
This psychological manipulation proves to be a powerful tool, in both Orwell’s 1984 and today’s society, however the generation to which one belongs can be seen to compliment the success of such manipulation or brainwashing nonetheless. In Orwell’s 1984 the omnipotent Party targets children to brainwash, being young, naive and vulnerable through “systematically turning children into ungovernable little savages” (Orwell, 1977). Thus resulting in a league of child spies, who report any disloyalty and have rebelled against family and all parental control. Such an attitudinal shift is evident in today’s youth and throughout the generations. After years of bombardment from their ‘telescreens’ and other devices about what to wear, what to think, and how to behave, what today’s youth consider moral and acceptable differ to that of youth from different generations. Older generations are often portrayed in the media and considered by many as ignorant or ‘out of date’ while the younger quick and adapt to conformity. Perhaps younger generations intentionally mistake wisdom, caution and life experience for ignorance and like the child spies in 1984, simply respond to the stimulus thrust upon them. Even though this shift thinking and behaviour is less extreme than that of 1984 it is present, therefore this gradual shift may be concerning to some and overtime provoke extreme results (Deacon, 1980).
With agencies around the world, such as the United States National Security Agency (NSA) involved in warrantless wiretapping, maintaining a call database and engaged in data-mining, it is reasonable to draw conclusions that ‘Big Brother’ may no longer be a fictional character. In our real world, we are monitored by the government constantly. Like 1984, the government monitors the world around us and like 1984, the governments insists it is for the greater good and safety of a nation. However such monitoring may just as easily be the result of government insecurity and a lack of trust. While today’s monitoring may look different to that of 1984 surveillance exist, sometimes in unsuspecting places. Some agree with such security, while others consider it a violation of privacy. Privacy being a basic right for all to enjoy. However what once was a simple concept taken for granted privacy is now a grave concern with powerful corporations such as Google and Facebook collecting and building databases of personal information, the ability to target an individual for any reason is now a reality. The corporate elite direct thought processes and conversation with their agenda in order to exercise their control over the masses.
In 1984, the Party stimulates the perception of a perpetual war in order to assert their dominance by ensuring the safety of the people. War has not been uncommon and plays its part in society today. Australia have been seen to bound seamlessly with allied nations such as the United Stated from one military conflict to another from Iraq to Afghanistan. While civil unrest magnifies in Lebanon and Syria the lingering threat of North Korea also catches the world’s attention. As a result an imposed fear of differences arises with social intolerance, tools used to oppress a society into ‘normalcy’.
It is evident we are moving towards moving towards the imagined world presented by George Orwell’s cyberpunk novel, 1984 as aspects of the world today mirror that of the fictional world illustrated by the novel. Today’s society fail to acknowledge the Negative Impact of technology on humanity. Thus like the people of Oceania, we allow technology and corporate giants to manipulate societal interactions. Riots, revolutions and war threaten the peaceful future of nations. Features of a despotic world surround today’s society as ramifications of specific technologies exist in a world only slightly different from the present. The masses have allowed technology to take a new priority in their lives, becoming dependent through willfully submitting to multiple internet profiles, Facebook, Twitter, and all of Google’s applications. Thus as a society we’ve created a totalitarian consumerist material society. Ultimately, today’s society must remain conscious when sitting in front of telescreens because ‘Big Brother’ may be watching.
References
Deacon, R. (1980). Approaching 1984. Newton Abbot: Dev..
Klawitter, U. (1997). The theme of totalitarianism in "English" fiction. Frankfurt am Main: P. Lang.
Oed.com (2013). Home : Oxford English Dictionary. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.oed.com [Accessed: 15 Sep 2013].
Orwell, G. (1977). 1984. New York, N.Y.Published by Signet Classic.
Rodden, J. (2011). The unexamined Orwell. Austin, Tex.University of Texas Press.
Sparknotes.com (2013). SparkNotes: 1984: Themes, Motifs & Symbols. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/themes.html [Accessed: 15 Sep 2013].
Weekend reading: The NSA PRISM program(2013).Chatham: Newstex. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/1365906742?accountid=14543
